Act Seven from the series Treasury of Loyal Retainers (ChÅ«shingura: Shichi danme) 

Editor: This woodblock print by Katsukawa Shun'ei, titled "Act Seven from the series Treasury of Loyal Retainers", features two figures on horseback. The dynamic composition and vibrant colors create a sense of action. What can you tell me about the production and reception of this series? Curator: Considering the materials, this ukiyo-e print speaks volumes about Edo-period consumer culture. Woodblock prints allowed for mass production, making art accessible beyond the elite. Notice the line work, the registration of colors. What labor went into each impression, and for whom was it intended? Editor: So, the value lies not just in the image, but in the process and its social impact? Curator: Precisely. We must consider the artist's role within the system of production, as well as the consumer's engagement with the finished product. Think about the wood, the inks, the hands that crafted it. Editor: That’s a different way to appreciate art, by thinking about its materiality. Curator: Indeed.